Feb 05 (newsonjapan.com) - A hard question to answer would be, what exactly is culture? A regular dictionary might tell you that it is "the art and ideas of a set of people."
What does that really mean though? Well, it’s simple, sort of. See culture includes anything and everything that gives people a feeling or sense that they belong. A dictionary won’t be able to tell you that anything from food to art can be a part of “culture”, a simple noun that allows people to stand out from those near them and still feel like they belong.
While culture as a whole can include other vague stuff like how people show respect or their politeness, it can also include how people act in relationships or how the lifestyle of the physical region they live in is. A group might see their culture as their collective identity. With the mix of attributes in regions across the world, recognizing similar characteristics gives people a sense of belonging, which is made easier with culture.
Japanese Culture - A Rich & Immersive Culture
Things in your culture might seem stranger to someone belonging to a different culture, with Japan these things are included in common sense. While there are many foreigners who get confused since they aren’t as natural to the “common sense” Japanese people possess, there’s no saying that it doesn’t get better. Having trouble bonding with people who’ve grown up in a different culture than yours can be troublesome, but not with Japanese people.
Despite the many stereotypes surrounding Japanese people, most are kind and extremely welcoming. You might’ve heard that Japanese people have trouble accepting foreign points of view or opinions and never seem to let it go. However, this is false. Japanese people have a different view of common sense and behavior, but that doesn’t mean they’re uptight about it.
If push came to shove and you were to interact with some foreigner in your country who lacked common sense, would you give them a chance? Would your friends and family who are surrounded by home town’s culture try interacting with someone who lacks a common sense of your culture? Probably not right? This is why it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself in for when visiting Japanese societies.
The Respect Japanese Culture Carries With It:
Japan is polite, filled with societies that are formal and welcoming to everyone. Despite there being tons of stereotypes surrounding the Japanese culture, you should understand that every society has its own rules of engagement. These rules are something one would normally pick up on while growing up, but entering a new society with a different culture means you have to learn the basics and start from scratch. You could always believe that Japan is a polite country and then continue to disregard the principles that make them polite, but that’s not gonna make your experience any better. It’s essential to study Japanese culture and adapt to it when interacting with Japanese people.
Every society defines being polite differently. Of course, there’s barely any society that isn’t polite, you should still know that their politeness is contingent on your behavior. Respect them and their culture and they’ll respect you. Being curious, motivated, and passionate about engaging in the Japanese culture is a great way to learn more about Japan.
How a collectivist culture makes Japan interesting:
A collectivist culture is one that follows the rules that prioritize the love of “family”. People might think that a family consists of people with who you are forever bound and with whom you share blood. When it comes to Japan, this meaning is just another compelling argument. You see, for Japanese people, the rights of their group are more important than the rights of an individual. While personal freedom has its ups and downs, a collectivist culture binds people closer together while they share the same happiness and sorrow.
While both the ideologies are somewhat inconsistent, a collective one seems to be preferable to the people of Japan. You see individualists can be seen as selfish with their demeaning ideas. However, collectivists can be seen as repressive. Both these cultures are so embedded in today’s world that having a sense of belonging is the least of the worries one might have when visiting a foreign country.
People go to all sorts of lengths to fit in the “societal trends” while they seem to forget that there are always more people out there who fall elsewhere on the spectrum. In the name of adapting people go out of their way to fit in different environments. People belonging to different cultures will always show traits that they’ve adopted from the cultures they’re currently interacting with, which might just not be a good idea.
Fitting in:
Fitting in with the Japanese is made extremely easier when someone learns the Japanese language. There are many options in person and online, like a solid preply Japanese tutor who can get you off your feet easier than you’d expect. It’s skills like speaking Japanese and understanding more of the culture through the language that makes Japanese fall in love with foreigners. Giving people the food for thought that you belong with them is the best thing you can do when visiting a foreign country like Japan.
The Japanese language is also extremely similar to other East-Asian languages, which makes it a much more viable language to learn. Having this skill set allows many advances in one’s career and can be a great initiative. In such a competitive world, having an edge is important. Now ask yourself this: “How many people do you know who speak Japanese?”
How hierarchy made its way into Japan:
Japan has always stood out with how they respect their seniors. Whether it’s people who are above them in authority at the workplace, or if it’s just elder citizens, Japanese people have the utmost respect for them. They value it and can go above and beyond to satisfy their “seniors”. Being rude or ungrateful as a foreigner in Japan, no matter how senior you might be to them is a direct insult to the moral principle Japan has stood by since Buddhism was introduced.
